Synopsis
1858年，達爾文在《物種源始》中提到：從化石紀錄來看，物種數量在寒武紀左右突然有了爆炸性的成長。在此之前，化石紀錄中僅有單純的單細胞生物、水母等簡單的軟生物留下的痕跡，但在寒武紀開始後，三葉蟲、貝類等等擁有硬質身體結構的生物突然出現，物種數量也有如「大霹靂」一般快速增長。這個物種快速暴增的現象被稱為「寒武紀大爆發」，是演化史上的劃時代事件。今日雖然達爾文的演化學說已經在學術圈站穩腳步，但是寒武紀大爆發為何發生仍舊是一個巨大的謎團。為了解開寒武紀大爆發這個跨越百年的問題，牛津大學動物學家派克全面檢視遠古化石證據，抽絲剝繭一步步重建寒武紀的繽紛世界。從寒武紀初乍現的天光到眼睛的誕生，派克在本書中提出，光與視覺就是開啟寒武紀物種大爆發關鍵的催化劑。派克於2003年出版本書後，立即奠定了古生物學界的大師地位。歷時十三年後，2017年的新版增訂了全書的地質年代，並由作者增補彩色照片與黑白圖說，可說是了解物種演化史相當重要的一本書。
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About the Author
Andrew Parker is a Royal Society Research Fellow at Oxford University's Department of Zoology. He has been named by the London Times as one of the three most important young scientists in the world for his work in investigating and answering the great riddle of the Cambrian explosion. He lives in Oxfordshire, England.
From Publishers Weekly
Oxford University zoologist Parker tackles one of biology's biggest mysteries in this nontechnical account. He provides a relatively simple explanation for the sudden explosion of life forms that defines the boundary between the pre-Cambrian and Cambrian eras approximately 543 million years ago: "The Cambrian explosion was triggered by the sudden evolution of vision" in simple organisms. In Parker's "Light Switch" theory, active predation became possible with the advent of vision, and prey species found themselves under extreme pressure to adapt in ways that would make them less likely to be spotted. New habitats opened as organisms were able to see their environment for the first time, and an enormous amount of specialization occurred as species differentiated. Parker claims that his theory is far more robust than previous attempts to explain the surge in diversity, even those most recently advanced by proponents of a snowball earth (the theory presented by Gabrielle Walker in Snowball Earth). In readable prose, Parker provides detailed information on the fossil record as well as a wealth of interesting material on the role light plays in environments and how vision operates across a host of species. Although at times his tangents are a bit distracting, Parker's book will bring his controversial ideas to the general public. Photos and line drawings.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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In the Blink of an Eye: The Cause of the Most Dramatic Event in the History of Life
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In the Blink of an Eye: The Cause of the Most Dramatic Event in the History of Life
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Simon and Schuster, London, England, 2003
ISBN 10: 0743239881
ISBN 13: 9780743239882
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Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Softcover, first edition, 498gms, 316 pages. This book explores the 'big bang' of evolution known as the Cambrian Explosion and the theory behind it that is largely centred around the evolution of the eye. Book is in very good condition with only minor general wear and tear and very mild page discolouration, otherwise no other pre-loved markings. Seller Inventory # 001201